Sam Lacey

Samuel Lacey (March 28, 1948 – March 14, 2014) was an American basketball player who spent the majority of his career with the Royals/Kings franchise. Born in Indianola, Mississippi, he attended Gentry High School in Indianola, where he was named MVP of the Mississippi High School All Star Game. In 1970, Indianola held Sam Lacey Day, an event that drew six to seven thousand attendees and featured a parade and a speech by the mayor.

Lacey attended New Mexico State University, where he played center at 6 feet 10 inches and 240 pounds. He had entered school as a freshman at 6 feet 9 inches and only 180 pounds, gaining 60 pounds between his freshman and sophomore years. He was recruited by Ed Murphy, an assistant to head coach Lou Henson. During the three seasons he played varsity basketball for the Aggies, from 1967 to 1970, the team compiled a combined record of 74–14 and reached the NCAA tournament in all three years. In 1968, he was named MVP of the Evansville Classic.

Lacey was selected as an all-star while playing for the Kings in 1975. The franchise later retired his number 44.